[Extract]
(No 31)

My Lord Since my last of the 12th of July the Convention of this Colony have been Sitting where I am informed, they have had many differences, some for very violent Measures others for less violent; they are at last come to the resolutions contained in their proceedings here inclosed, the Substance of which is that they have appointed a Committee of Safety, as I understand to be held at Hanover Town, in the County of the same Name, consisting of the following Members Vizt The Honorable John Page, one of His Majesty's Council, Edmond Pendleton, Chairman of the Committee, George Mason, Paul Carrington, James Mercer, and Richard Bland all Lawyers, Dudley Digges, Comptroller of His Majesty's Customs for York River, Thomas Luwell Lee, William Cabell, Carter Braxton, and John Tabb, Country Gentlemen.

They have also ordered 1020 Regulars Rank and file with Officers in proportion to be immediately embodied, and these are to be Commanded by a certain Patrick Henry, who I informed your Lordship in a former letter (No 27) had robbed His Majesty's Receiver General. They have likewise ordered 425 Rifle Men, that is Hunters who make use of a Rifle instead of a Smooth bore Musket, these are intended to Act and defend them against the Indians, and are ordered to take possession of the three Posts I occupied last year on the Ohio, Vizt Fort Dunmore, Fort Fincastle, and Fort Pleasant at the Mouth of the great Kanahawa; and they have ordered 8600 Minute Men, a term I am unacquainted with, which they have adopted from the New England Provinces . . .

I have been informed that your Lordship, or some of His Majesty's Servants had intrusted a certain Mr [Thomas] Nelson [Jr.] (Son of Mr Nelson President of His Majesty's Council and Secretary of this Colony) with some dispatches for me, which in place of delivering to me, when he arrived, (tho' I was within a few Miles of him) he carried to the Committee at Hampton, who refusing to receive them he then offered them to the Committee at York (the Town where his father resides) who also refusing to receive them, he has delivered them to the Committee of Safety, since which I have heard nothing of them. . . .

I wait with great impatience for a full Answer to my former letters (Nos 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30;) which I trust in God will releive me from the very dissagreeable Situation I now find myself in, Surrounded with Enemies, and Seeing them every day grow more formidable, both as to Numbers and discipline, without a Single instruction how to Act, or force to Annoy them; and what hurts me more than any thing, is to See those that I am sure, would most willingly have espoused His Majesty's interest, now bearing Arms against him, because they have no place of refuge to fly to; and I make no doubt, without, I am both enabled, and instructed to Act soon, that the Indians, whoes talk I send you, (No 5) as well as those whoes Address I here inclose (No. 6) to your Lordship, will, if not immediately employed in His Majesty's Service, take part with the Rebells. . . .

As the People, who are continually applying to me for protection, will be obliged to join the Rebells, unless they have some place of refuge to fly to, I intend to take them on board the Ships, untill I receive instructions from your Lordship, in what manner I am to Act. . . .